Sinn Féin - On Your Side

Last minute effort should be made to prevent Aer Lingus sell-off -- Crowe

Speaking ahead of the announcement of the expected share price for Aer
Lingus later today, Sinn Féin Transport Spokesperson Seán Crowe appealed to
all progressive forces to come together to explore any remaining avenues to
prevent the sale of our national airline.

The Dublin South-West TD said: "This unpopular flotation of Aer Lingus is
due to take place in early October, so there is still time for everyone
against this act of national vandalism to come together and discuss
strategies by which it can be prevented.

"Recent media reports indicating that this flotation will raise little more
than €600 million are in stark contrast to overly optimistic government
claims that a billion euros could be obtained from the sale. Instead of
developing an all-Ireland strategy for the development of our air industry,
with our national airline at the heart of it, this government will sell the
people's airline to generate a relative pittance of €230 million for
investment.

"Sinn Féin is seeking a meeting with SIPTU, with whom we have been working
to prevent this privatisation, to discuss the way forward. While the Labour
party has gone quiet on this issue, silenced by their larger partner Fine
Gael I would still appeal to their rank and file, and all progressive
forces, to come together to explore means of saving our national airline."